Determination for effective defibrillation

ABSTRACT

A method for managing care of a person receiving emergency cardiac is disclosed and involves monitoring, with an external defibrillator, multiple parameters of the person receiving emergency cardiac assistance; determining from at least one of the parameters, an indication of trans-thoracic impedance of the person receiving emergency cardiac care; determining, from at least one of the parameters corresponding to an electrocardiogram of the person receiving emergency cardiac assistance, an initial indication of likely shock effectiveness; determining, as a function of at least the indication of trans-thoracic impedance and the initial indication of likely shock effectiveness, an indication of whether a shock provided to the person receiving emergency medical assistance will be effective; and affecting control of the defibrillator by a caregiver as a result of determining the indication of whether a shock will be effective.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/558,954, filed on Nov. 11, 2011, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates to cardiac resuscitation, and in particular tosystems and techniques for determining when a defibrillating shock on aperson will be effective.

BACKGROUND

Heart attacks are a common cause of death. A heart attack occurs when aportion of the heart tissue loses circulation and becomes damaged as aresult (e.g., because of blockage in the heart vasculature). Heartattacks and other abnormalities can lead to ventricular fibrillation,which is an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that causes the heart tolose pumping capacity. If such a problem is not correctedquickly—typically within minutes—the rest of the body loses oxygen andthe person dies. Therefore, prompt care of person undergoing ventricularfibrillation can be key to a positive outcome for such a person.

One common way to treat ventricular fibrillation is through the use ofan electrical defibrillator that delivers a relatively high voltageshock to the heart in order to get it back into a normal pattern and aconsistent, strong beat. People who have had previous problems may beimplanted with an automatic defibrillator that constantly monitors thecondition of their heart and applies a shock when necessary. Other suchpeople may be provided with a wearable defibrillator in the form of avest such as the LIFEVEST product from ZOLL Medical Corporation. Otherpeople may be treated using an external defibrillator, such as in ahospital or via an automatic external defibrillator (AED) of the kindthat is frequently seen in airports public gymnasiums and other publicspaces.

People undergoing ventricular fibrillation may be more receptive to adefibrillating shock in some instances compared to others. For example,research has determined that a computation of amplitude spectrum area(AMSA) from an electrocardiogram (ECG) may indicate whether a shock thatis delivered to a person will like cause defibrillation to occur or willinstead likely fail. Naturally then, it is best to apply a shock when anAMSA value indicates that the shock will succeed, as opposed to when itindicates that the shock will fail.

SUMMARY

This document describes systems and techniques that may be used to helpdetermine when a shock on a person suffering from VF will be successful,i.e., will defibrillate the patient. Upon making such a determination, adefibrillator may provide an indication to a rescuer about such adetermination. For example, the defibrillator may only allow a shock tobe performed when the indication is sufficiently positive (e.g., over aset percentage of likelihood of success). Also, a defibrillator mayprovide a display—such as a graphic that shows whether defibrillationwill likely succeed (e.g., above a predetermine threshold level oflikelihood of success) or providing a number (e.g., a percentage oflikelihood of success) or other indication (e.g., a grade of A, B, C, D,or F) so that the rescuer can determine whether to apply a shock. Thedevice can also change the indication it prevents in differentsituation, e.g., a dual-mode defibrillator could simply indicate whetherdefibrillation is advised (and may refuse to permit delivery of a shockwhen it is not advised) when the defibrillator is in AED mode, and mayprovide more nuanced information when the defibrillator is in manualmode, and thus presumably being operated by someone who can betterinterpret such information and act properly on it.

The determination about likelihood of success may be made as acombination of a measurement that looks to ECG values at differentfrequencies or frequency ranges, such as AMSA, and trans-thoracicimpedance measurements of the person receiving emergency care. It hasbeen found that patient impedance affects the AMSA threshold number atwhich a delivered shock will likely succeed. Thus, as discussed below,the patient trans-thoracic impedance can be used to adjust an initialAMSA measurement in order to produce a more complete indication ofwhether a shock will succeed on the patient. Also, the trans-thoracicimpedance for the patient and the AMSA value may both be fed into atable or other form of function whose output is a separate indicator oflikely success.

In certain implementations, such systems and technique may provide oneor more advantages. For example, a determination of whether a shockshould be provided can be made from values that are already beingmeasured for a patient (e.g., trans-thoracic impedance may already beused by a defibrillator to affect the shape of the voltage of thewaveform that is provided to the patient). The determination may beimproved compared to simply measuring AMSA, and may thus result inbetter performance for a system and better outcomes for a patient. Inparticular, a defibrillator may cause a rescuer to wait to provide adefibrillating shock until a time at which the shock is more likely tobe effective. As a result, the patient may avoid receiving anineffective shock, and then having to wait another cycle for anothershock (which may end up being equally ineffective). Such a process may,therefore, result in the patient returning to normal cardiac functionmore quickly and with less stress on his or her cardiac system, whichwill generally lead to better patient outcomes.

In one implementation, a method for managing care of a person receivingemergency cardiac assistance is disclosed. The method comprisesmonitoring, with an external defibrillator, multiple parameters of theperson receiving emergency cardiac assistance; determining from at leastone of the parameters, an indication of trans-thoracic impedance of theperson receiving emergency cardiac care; determining, from at least oneof the parameters corresponding to an electrocardiogram of the personreceiving emergency cardiac assistance, an initial indication of likelyshock effectiveness; determining, as a function of at least theindication of trans-thoracic impedance and the initial indication oflikely shock effectiveness, an indication of whether a shock provided tothe person receiving emergency medical assistance will be effective; andaffecting control of the defibrillator by a caregiver as a result ofdetermining the indication of whether a shock will be effective. Themethod can also include repeating cyclically the actions of monitoring,determining, and affecting control over multiple time periods duringprovision of emergency cardiac assistance to the person. The method canalso include identifying compression depth of chest compressionsperformed on the person, using a device on the person's sternum and incommunication with the defibrillator, and providing feedback to arescuer performing the chest compressions regarding rate of compression,depth of compression, or both. Also, the multiple parameters cancomprise signals sensed by a plurality of electrocardiogram leads.

In certain aspects, determining an initial indicator of likely shockeffectiveness comprises determining a value that is a function ofelectrocardiogram amplitude at particular different frequencies orfrequency ranges. Also, the determination of an initial indicator oflikely shock effectiveness can comprise determining an amplitudespectrum area (AMSA) value. In addition, affecting control of thedefibrillator can comprise preventing a user from delivering a shockunless the determination of whether a shock will be effective exceeds adetermined likelihood level. Moreover, affecting control of thedefibrillator can comprise electronically displaying an indicator of thedetermined indication of whether a shock will be effective. In otheraspects, displaying an indicator comprises displaying a value, ofmultiple possible values in a range, that indicates a likelihood ofsuccess.

In another implementation, a system for managing care of a personreceiving emergency cardiac assistance is disclosed. The systemcomprises one or more capacitors for delivering a defibrillating shockto a patient; one or more electronic ports for receiving signals fromsensors for obtaining indications of an electrocardiogram for thepatient and trans-thoracic impedance of the patient; and a patienttreatment module executable on one or more computer processors toprovide a determination of a likelihood of success from delivering adefibrillating shock to the person with the one or more capacitors,using both information from the electrocardiogram and from thetrans-thoracic impedance.

In yet another implementation, a method for managing care of afibrillating patient is disclosed. The method comprises generating firstinformation indicative of an electrocardiogram of the patient;generating second information indicative of a trans-thoracic impedanceof the patient; determining a likelihood of success form delivering adefibrillating shock to the patient from the first and secondinformation; and providing to a user of a defibrillator an indication ofthe determination of a likelihood of success. [this is similar to claim1 but a bit broader]

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description anddrawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a victim of cardiac arrest being cared for by a rescuer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram that shows a defibrillator with anelectrode package and compression puck.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a process for providing a user with feedbackregarding a likelihood that a defibrillating shock will be successful.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are graphs showing relationships between patient outcomeand AMSA threshold values for groups of patients having differenttrans-thoracic impedance values.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a defibrillator showing certain types ofinformation that can be displayed to a rescuer.

FIGS. 6A-6C show screenshots of a defibrillator display that providesfeedback concerning chest compressions performed on a victim.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show screenshots providing feedback regarding aperfusion index created form chest compressions.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show screenshots with gradiated scales indicating targetchest compression depths.

FIG. 9 shows a general computer system that can provide interactivitywith a user of a medical device, such as feedback to a user in theperformance of CPR.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods fordetermining whether defibrillation will be effective as a function bothof an indication relating to amplitude spectrum area (AMSA) or similarmeasures related to analysis of electrocardiogram data, and oftrans-thoracic impedance (TTI). In general, defibrillation is a commontreatment for various arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation(VF). However, there can be undesired side effects (e.g., heart tissuedamage, skin burns, etc.) that follow an electrical shock. It istherefore desirable to predict whether defibrillation will be successfulin restoring a regular heartbeat following onset of an arrhythmicepisode. Such a prediction is referred to as an “indicator of success”or, equivalently, a “success indication” within the context of thepresent disclosure. The prediction may be used so that a defibrillatingshock is not provided when the chance of successful defibrillation islow, and instead waits until the chance increases to an acceptablelevel. Such a determination can be used to alter care in an automaticand/or manual manner. In an automatic manner, a defibrillator may bemade incapable of delivering a shock unless a success indication isabove a determined amount. In a manual manner, the success indicationmay be shown to a rescuer, and the rescuer may determine whether toapply a shock or not based on the indication. A system may alsointegrate both—e.g., locking out the ability to provide a shock until athreshold level is reached, and then showing the relative likelihood ofsuccess above that value. The likelihood of success can be shown invarious manners, such as by showing an actual percentage, or show two ormore of a low, medium, or high likelihood of success, e.g., on a displayof a defibrillator.

FIG. 1 shows a victim 102 of cardiac arrest being cared for by a rescuerand defibrillator 104. The defibrillator 104 includes an electrodepackage 106 and a compression puck 108 generally coupled thereto. Anexample of such a defibrillator includes the AED PLUS automated externaldefibrillator or the AED PRO automated external defibrillator, both fromZOLL Medical Corporation of Chelmsford, Mass. Other embodiments of thedefibrillator 104 are possible.

In the pictured example, the victim 102 is rendered prone due to anarrhythmic episode, and the electrode package 106 and the compressionpuck 108 are positioned on the torso of the victim 102 in an appropriateand known arrangement. In accordance with the present disclosure, thedefibrillator 104, in tandem with one or both of the electrode package106 and the compression puck 108, is configured to determine whether adefibrillation shock will be an effective measure to terminate thearrhythmic episode. The determination is generally based on one or moreTTI measurements and one or more calculated AMSA values.

For example, the defibrillator 104 is configured to acquire andmanipulate both a TTI signal 110 and an ECG signal 112 via the electrodepackage 106. As described in further detail below, a TTI measurement (Ω)is a parameter derived from the TTI signal 110 that represents, amongother things, thoracic fluid content. An AMSA value (V-Hz) is aparameter calculated by integrating the Fourier transform of the ECGsignal 112 over a finite frequency range. The AMSA value is one form ofcalculation that represents a value of an ECG signal from a victim,while other values may likewise be computed.

The defibrillator 104 is further configured to display an IOS indicator114 based on the TTI measurement(s) and AMSA value(s) obtained from theTTI signal 110 and an ECG signal 112, respectively. The IOS indicator114 generally provides a perceptible cue that suggests whether or not aparticular defibrillation event will likely terminate the arrhythmicepisode of the victim 102. For example, when the IOS indicator 114displays a success indication of “88%,” a rescuer (not shown) can beinstructed “Press to Shock” to apply a shock to the victim 102 viaactuation of a control 116. Other embodiments are possible. For example,it will be appreciated that a success indication may be implemented asany type of perceptible feedback (e.g., haptic, audio, etc.) as desired.In certain implementations, the defibrillator 104 may make thedetermination of a likelihood of success without expressly notifying therescuer, and may simply use the determination to determine when to tellthe rescuer that a shock may be delivered. In other situations, thedefibrillator 104 may explicitly indicate the likelihood of success,such as by showing a percentage likelihood as indicated in FIG. 1, byshowing less discrete gradiations for success (e.g., poor, good, verygood, and excellent), or by displaying a range of colors (e.g., with redindicating a poor chance and green indicating a good chance).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a schematic block diagram 200 shows the exampledefibrillator 104, along with the example electrode package 106 andcompression puck 108, of FIG. 1 in more detail. In general, thedefibrillator 104, and optionally one or more of the electrode package106 and compression puck 108, defines an apparatus for administeringcare to a patient, subject, or individual (e.g., victim 102) whorequires cardiac assistance.

The defibrillator 104 includes a switch 202 and at least one capacitor204 for selectively supplying or applying a shock to a subject. Thedefibrillator 104 further includes an ECG analyzer module 206, a TTImodule 208, a CPR feedback module 210 that controls frequency andmagnitude of chest compressions applied to a subject, a patienttreatment (PT) module 212, a speaker 214, and a display 216. In thisexample, the ECG analyzer module 206, TTI module 208, CPR feedbackmodule 210, and patient treatment (PT) module 212 are grouped togetheras a logical module 218, which may be implemented by one or morecomputer processors. For example, respective elements of the logicalmodule 218 can be implemented as: (i) a sequence of computer implementedinstructions executing on at least one computer processor of thedefibrillator 104; and (ii) interconnected logic or hardware moduleswithin the defibrillator 104, as described in further detail below inconnection with FIG. 6.

In the example of FIG. 2, the electrode package 106 is connected to theswitch 202 via port on the defibrillator 103 so that different packagesmay be connected at different times. The electrode package may also beconnected through the port to ECG analyzer module 206, and TTI module208.

The compression puck 108 is connected, in this example, to the CPRfeedback module 210. In one embodiment, the ECG analyzer module 206 is acomponent that receives an ECG (e.g., ECG signal 112). Similarly, theTTI module 208 is a component that receives transthoracic impedance(e.g., TTI signal 110). Other embodiments are possible

The PT module 212 is configured to receive an input from each one of theECG analyzer module 206, TTI module 208, and CPR feedback module 210.The PT module 212 uses inputs as received from at least the ECG analyzermodule 206 and TTI module 208 to predict whether a defibrillation eventwill likely terminate an arrhythmic episode. In this manner, the PTmodule 212 uses information derived from both an ECG signal andtransthoracic impedance measurement to provide a determination of alikelihood of success for delivering a defibrillating shock to asubject.

The PT module 216 is further configured to provide an input to each oneof the speaker 214, display 216, and switch 202. In general, inputprovided to the speaker 214 and a display 216 corresponds to either asuccess indication or a failure indication regarding the likelihood ofsuccess for delivering a shock to the subject. In one embodiment, thedifference between a success indication and a failure indication isbinary and based on a threshold. For example, a success indication maybe relayed to the display 216 when the chances corresponding to asuccessful defibrillation event is greater than 75%. In this example,the value “75%” may be rendered on the display 216 indicating a positivelikelihood of success. When a positive likelihood of success isindicated, the PT module 216 enables the switch 202 such that a shockmay be delivered to a subject.

In another embodiment, likelihood of a successful defibrillation eventmay be classified into one of many possible groups such as, for example,low, medium, and high likelihood of success. With a “low” likelihood ofsuccess (e.g., corresponding to a successful defibrillation event isless than 50%), the PT module 216 disables the switch 202 such that ashock cannot be delivered to a subject. With a “medium” likelihood ofsuccess (e.g., corresponding to a successful defibrillation event isgreater than 50% but less than 75%), the PT module 216 enables theswitch 202 such that a shock may be delivered to a subject, but alsorenders a warning on the display 216 that the likelihood of success isquestionable. With a “high” likelihood of success (e.g., correspondingto a successful defibrillation event is greater than or equal to 75%),the PT module 216 enables the switch 202 such that a shock may bedelivered to a subject, and also renders a cue on the display 216indicating that the likelihood of success is very good. Still otherembodiments are possible.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an example method 300 is shown foradministering care to an individual requiring cardiac assistance. In oneembodiment, the method 300 is implemented by the example defibrillator104 described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. However, otherembodiments are possible.

At a step 302, at least one of an ECG signal (e.g., ECG signal 112) anda TTI signal (e.g., TTI signal 110) of the subject receiving cardiaccare is monitored. In general, an individual receiving cardiac careincludes the individual at any time during a cardiac event, includingwhether or not individual is receiving active care (e.g., chestcompressions).

At a step 304, a TTI value is extracted from the TTI signal as monitoredat step 302. In general, TTI values are inversely proportional tothoracic fluid content. For example, a TTI value of about 100 ohmsapproximately indicates presence of substantial thoracic fluid content(e.g., a “wet” patient), and a TTI value of about 180 ohms approximatelyindicates absence of thoracic fluid content (e.g., a “dry” patient).

Additionally, at step 304, an AMSA value is calculated from the ECGsignal as monitored at step 302 by integrating the Fourier transform(e.g., FFT) of the ECG signal over a finite frequency range. Examplefrequency content of an arrhythmic ECG signal generally ranges betweenabout 1 Hz to about 40 Hz, with amplitude of about 50 mV or less. Anexample of an AMSA value calculated from such a signal ranges betweenabout 5 mV-Hz to about 20 mV-Hz. It will be appreciated however thatthis is only an example, and that the magnitude and spectra of an ECGsignal ranges greatly.

At a step 306, the process determines a combined indicator of successthat includes a indication from trans-thoracic impedance and anindication from an ECG reading, such as an AMSA indication. The combinedindicator may be determined by inputting a TTI value and an AMSA valueinto a function or look-up table, or may be determined without a need tocompute both values first, such as by taking inputs indicative of bothvalues and computing a predictor of success directly from suchindicative values.

At box 308, a success indication is provided to a defibrillatoroperator. The indication may take a variety of forms. For example, theability of the defibrillator to deliver a shock may be enable when theindicator of success is higher than a threshold level. Also, the usermay be notified that the defibrillator can provide a shock, and may beprompted to push a physical button to cause the shock to be delivered.

The user may also be provided with more detail about the successindication. For example, the user may be shown a percentage number thatindicates a likelihood in percent that the shock will be successful.Alternatively, or in addition, the user may be show a less granularlevel of an indication, such as a value of “excellent,” “good,” and“poor” to indicate to the user what the likelihood of successfuldefibrillation is.

At box 310, the trigger mechanism is enabled on the defibrillator, asdiscussed above. In certain instances, such a feature may be enabledwhenever a shockable rhythm is observed for a patient. In othercircumstances, the enabling may occur only when the combined indicationdiscussed above exceeds a threshold value for indicating that a shockwill be successful in defibrillating the patient.

FIG. 4A shows a plot of positive predictive value (%) versus AMSAthreshold (mv-Hz) for a first set of subjects having a TTI measuredgreater than 150 ohms and a second set of subjects having a TTI measuredless than 150 ohms. As shown by the comparative data, the first set ofsubjects generally has a greater positive predictive value for a givenAMSA threshold. In both cases, positive predictive value generallyincreases with increasing AMSA threshold. Thus, an indication of successfor a patient having a low impedance may be provided when the AMSA valueis lower, than for a comparable AMSA value from a high impedancepatient. Or, where a percentage likelihood of success is shown, thedisplayed percentage for a particular AMSA value may be higher for a lowimpedance patient as compared to a high impedance patient—at least withthe range of AMSA values from 5-20 mv-HZ.

FIG. 4B shows a plot of sensitivity (unitless) versus AMSA threshold(mv-Hz) for a first set of subjects having a TTI measured less than 100ohms, a second set of subjects having a TTI measured between 125 ohmsand 150 ohms, and a third set of subjects having a TTI measured between150 ohms and 180 ohms. As shown by the comparative data, AMSA thresholdgenerally increases, for a given specificity, with increasing TTI.

FIG. 5A shows a defibrillator showing certain types of information thatcan be displayed to a rescuer. In the figure, a defibrillation device500 with a display portion 502 provides information about patient statusand CPR administration quality during the use of the defibrillatordevice. As shown on display 502, during the administration of chestcompressions, the device 500 displays information about the chestcompressions in box 514 on the same display as is displayed a filteredECG waveform 510 and a CO2 waveform 512 (alternatively, an SpO2 waveformcan be displayed).

During chest compressions, the ECG waveform is generated by gatheringECG data points and accelerometer readings, and filtering themotion-induced (e.g., CPR-induced) noise out of the ECG waveform.Measurement of velocity or acceleration of chest compression duringchest compressions can be performed according to the techniques taughtby U.S. Pat. No. 7,220,335, titled Method and Apparatus for Enhancementof Chest Compressions During Chest Compressions, the contents of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Displaying the filtered ECG waveform helps a rescuer reduceinterruptions in CPR because the displayed waveform is easier for therescuer to decipher. If the ECG waveform is not filtered, artifacts frommanual chest compressions can make it difficult to discern the presenceof an organized heart rhythm unless compressions are halted. Filteringout these artifacts can allow rescuers to view the underlying rhythmwithout stopping chest compressions.

The CPR information in box 514 is automatically displayed whencompressions are detected by a defibrillator. The information about thechest compressions that is displayed in box 514 includes rate 518 (e.g.,number of compressions per minute) and depth 516 (e.g., depth ofcompressions in inches or millimeters). The rate and depth ofcompressions can be determined by analyzing accelerometer readings.Displaying the actual rate and depth data (in addition to, or insteadof, an indication of whether the values are within or outside of anacceptable range) can also provide useful feedback to the rescuer. Forexample, if an acceptable range for chest compression depth is 1.5 to 2inches, providing the rescuer with an indication that his/hercompressions are only 0.5 inches can allow the rescuer to determine howto correctly modify his/her administration of the chest compressions(e.g., he or she can know how much to increase effort, and not merelythat effort should be increased some unknown amount).

The information about the chest compressions that is displayed in box514 also includes a perfusion performance indicator (PPI) 520. The PPI520 is a shape (e.g., a diamond) with the amount of fill that is in theshape differing over time to provide feedback about both the rate anddepth of the compressions. When CPR is being performed adequately, forexample, at a rate of about 100 compressions per minute (CPM) with thedepth of each compression greater than 1.5 inches, the entire indicatorwill be filled. As the rate and/or depth decreases below acceptablelimits, the amount of fill lessens. The PPI 520 provides a visualindication of the quality of the CPR such that the rescuer can aim tokeep the PPI 520 completely filled.

As shown in display 500, the filtered ECG waveform 510 is a full-lengthwaveform that fills the entire span of the display device, while thesecond waveform (e.g., the CO2 waveform 512) is a partial-lengthwaveform and fills only a portion of the display. A portion of thedisplay beside the second waveform provides the CPR information in box514. For example, the display splits the horizontal area for the secondwaveform in half, displaying waveform 512 on left, and CPR informationon the right in box 514.

The data displayed to the rescuer can change based on the actions of therescuer. For example, the data displayed can change based on whether therescuer is currently administering CPR chest compressions to thepatient. Additionally, the ECG data displayed to the user can changebased on the detection of CPR chest compressions. For example, anadaptive filter can automatically turn ON or OFF based on detection ofwhether CPR is currently being performed. When the filter is on (duringchest compressions), the filtered ECG data is displayed and when thefilter is off (during periods when chest compressions are not beingadministered), unfiltered ECG data is displayed. An indication ofwhether the filtered or unfiltered ECG data is displayed can be includedwith the waveform.

Also shown on the display is a reminder 521 regarding “release” inperforming chest compression. Specifically, a fatigued rescuer may beginleaning forward on the chest of a victim and not release pressure on thesternum of the victim at the top of each compression. This can reducethe perfusion and circulation accomplished by the chest compressions.The reminder 521 can be displayed when the system recognizes thatrelease is not being achieved (e.g., signals from an accelerometer showan “end” to the compression cycle that is flat and thus indicates thatthe rescuer is staying on the sternum to an unnecessary degree). Such areminder can be coordinated with other feedback as well, and can bepresented in an appropriate manner to get the rescuer's attention. Thevisual indication may be accompanied by additional visual feedback nearthe rescuer's hands, and by a spoken or tonal audible feedback,including a sound that differs sufficiently from other audible feedbackso that the rescuer will understand that release (or more specifically,lack of release) is the target of the feedback.

FIG. 5B shows the same defibrillator, but with an indicator box 522 nowshown across the bottom half of the display and over the top ofinformation that was previously displayed to display a successindication of “75%.” Similar to the display 216 as described above, theindicator box 522 can generally convey a success indication or a failureindication regarding the likelihood of success for delivering a shock toa subject. In the example shown, the success indication is textual;however the success indication (and/or failure indication) can generallybe implemented as any type of perceptible feedback. For example, tone,color, and/or other perceptible visual effects can be rendered orotherwise displayed to a user via the indicator box. For example, thecharacters “75%” may be highlighted or otherwise distinguished in a boldcolor, and the phrase “Press to Shock” may blink at least intermittentlyto convey a sense of urgency with respect to a pending shock. Otherembodiments are possible.

FIGS. 6A-6C show example screens that may be displayed to a rescuer on adefibrillator. Each of the displays may be supplemented with anindicator-like box 522 in FIG. 5B when the defibrillator makes adetermination as to the likelihood of success for delivering a shock toa subject.

FIG. 6A shows exemplary information displayed during the administrationof CPR chest compressions, while FIGS. 6B and 6C show exemplaryinformation displayed when CPR chest compressions are not being sensedby the defibrillator. The defibrillator automatically switches theinformation presented based on whether chest compressions are detected.An exemplary modification of the information presented on the displaycan include automatically switching one or more waveforms that thedefibrillator displays. In one example, the type of measurementdisplayed can be modified based on the presence or absence of chestcompressions. For example, CO2 or depth of chest compressions may bedisplayed (e.g., a CO2 waveform 620 is displayed in FIG. 6A) during CPRadministration, and upon detection of the cessation of chestcompressions, the waveform can be switched to display an SpO2 or pulsewaveform (e.g., an SpO2 waveform 622 is displayed in FIG. 6B).

Another exemplary modification of the information presented on thedisplay can include automatically adding/removing the CPR informationfrom the display upon detection of the presence or absence of chestcompressions. As shown in FIG. 6A, when chest compressions are detected,a portion 624 of the display includes information about the CPR such asdepth 626, rate 628, and PPI 630. As shown in FIG. 6B, when CPR ishalted and the system detects the absence of CPR chest compressions, thedefibrillator changes the CPR information in the portion 624 of thedisplay, to include an indication 632 that the rescuer should resumeCPR, and an indication 634 of the idle time since chest compressionswere last detected. In a similar manner, when the defibrillatordetermines that rescuers should change, the label 632 can change to amessage such as “Change Who is Administering CPR.” In other examples, asshown in FIG. 6C, when CPR is halted, the defibrillation device canremove the portion of the display 624 previously showing CPR data andcan display a full view of the second waveform. Additionally,information about the idle time 636 can be presented on another portionof the display.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show defibrillator displays that indicate to a rescuerlevels of perfusion being obtained by chest compressions that therescuer is performing. FIG. 7A shows exemplary data displayed during theadministration of CPR chest compressions when the CPR quality is withinacceptable ranges, while FIG. 7B shows modifications to the display whenthe CPR quality is outside of the acceptable range.

In the example shown in FIG. 7B, the rate of chest compressions hasdropped from 154 compressions per minute (FIG. 7A) to 88 compressionsper minute. The defibrillator device determines that the compressionrate of 88 compressions per minute is below the acceptable range ofgreater than 100 compressions per minute. In order to alert the userthat the compression rate has fallen below the acceptable range, thedefibrillator device provides a visual indication 718 to emphasize therate information. In this example, the visual indication 718 is ahighlighting of the rate information. Similar visual indications can beprovided based on depth measurements when the depth of the compressionsis shallower or deeper than an acceptable range of depths. Also, whenthe change in rate or depth indicates that a rescuer is becomingfatigued, the system may display a message to switch who is performingthe chest compressions, and may also emit aural or haptic feedback tothe same effect.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a perfusion performanceindicator (PPI) 716 provides additional information about the quality ofchest compressions during CPR. The PPI 716 includes a shape (e.g., adiamond) with the amount of fill in the shape differing based on themeasured rate and depth of the compressions. In FIG. 7A, the depth andrate fall within the acceptable ranges (e.g., at least 100compressions/minute (CPM) and the depth of each compression is greaterthan 1.5 inches) so the PPI indicator 716 a shows a fully filled shape.In contrast, in FIG. 7B, when the rate has fallen below the acceptablerange, the amount of fill in the indicator 716 b is lessened such thatonly a portion of the indicator is filled. The partially filled PPI 716b provides a visual indication of the quality of the CPR is below anacceptable range.

As noted above with respect to FIG. 5A, in addition to measuringinformation about the rate and depth of CPR chest compressions, in someexamples the defibrillator provides information about whether therescuer is fully releasing his/her hands at the end of a chestcompression. For example, as a rescuer tires, the rescuer may beginleaning on the victim between chest compressions such that the chestcavity is not able to fully expand at the end of a compression. If therescuer does not fully release between chest compressions the quality ofthe CPR can diminish. As such, providing a visual or audio indication tothe user when the user does not fully release can be beneficial. Inaddition, such factors may be included in a determination of whether therescuer's performance has deteriorated to a level that the rescuershould be instructed to permit someone else perform the chestcompressions, and such information may be conveyed in the variousmanners discussed above.

As shown in FIG. 8A, a visual representation of CPR quality can includean indicator of CPR compression depth such as a CPR depth meter 820. TheCPR depth meter 820 can be automatically displayed upon detection of CPRchest compressions.

On the CPR depth meter 820, depth bars 828 visually indicate the depthof the administered CPR compressions relative to a target depth 824. Assuch, the relative location of the depth bars 828 in relation to thetarget depth 824 can serve as a guide to a rescuer for controlling thedepth of CPR compressions.

For example, depth bars 828 located in a region 822 above the targetdepth bar 824 indicate that the compressions were shallower than thetarget depth, and depth bars 828 located in a region 826 below thetarget depth bar 824 indicate that the compressions were deeper than thetarget depth. Again, then depth is inadequate (along with perhaps otherfactors) for a sufficient time to indicate that the rescuer isfatiguing, an indicator to switch rescuers may be provided in themanners discussed above.

While the example shown in FIG. 8A displayed the target depth 824 as asingle bar, in some additional examples, the target depth can bedisplayed as a range of preferred depths. For example, two bars 829 aand 829 b can be included on the depth meter 820 providing an acceptablerange of compression depths (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8B). Additionally,in some examples, compressions that have depths outside of an acceptablerange can be highlighted in a different color than compressions thathave depths within the acceptable range of compression depths.

The depth bars 828 displayed on the CPR depth meter 820 can representthe compression depths of the most recent CPR compressions administeredby the rescuer. For example, the CPR depth meter 820 can display depthbars 828 for the most recent 10-20 CPR compressions (e.g., the mostrecent 10 CPR compressions, the most recent 15 compressions, the mostrecent 20 CPR compressions). In another example, CPR depth meter 820 candisplay depth bars 828 for CPR compressions administered during aparticular time interval (e.g., the previous 10 seconds, the previous 20seconds).

In some additional embodiments, physiological information (e.g.,physiological information such as end-tidal CO2 information, arterialpressure information, volumetric CO2, pulse oximetry (presence ofamplitude of waveform possibly), and carotid blood flow (measured byDoppler) can be used to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the CPRdelivered at a particular target depth. Based on the physiologicalinformation, the system can automatically determine a target CPRcompression depth (e.g., calculate or look-up a new CPR compressiontarget depth) and provide feedback to a rescuer to increase or decreasethe depth of the CPR compressions. Thus, the system can provide bothfeedback related to how consistently a rescuer is administering CPRcompressions at a target depth, and feedback related to whether thetarget depth should be adjusted based on measured physiologicalparameters. If the rescuers does not respond to such feedback andcontinues performed sub-optimal CPR, the system may then display anadditional message to switch out the person performing CPR chestcompressions.

In some examples, the system regularly monitors and adjusts the targetCPR compression depth. In order to determine a desirable target depth,the system makes minor adjustments to the target CPR compression depthand observes how the change in compression depth affects the observedphysiological parameters before determining whether to make furtheradjustments to the target compression depth. More particularly, thesystem can determine an adjustment in the target compression depth thatis a fraction of an inch and prompt the rescuer to increase or decreasethe compression depth by the determined amount. For example, the systemcan adjust the target compression depth by 0.1-0.25 inches (e.g., 0.1inches to 0.15 inches, 0.15 to 0.25 inches, about 0.2 inches) andprovide feedback to the rescuer about the observed compression depthbased on the adjusted target compression depth. Then, over a set periodof time, the system can observe the physiological parameters and, basedon trends in the physiological parameters without making furtheradjustments to the target compression depth and at the end of the settime period, may determine whether to make further adjustments to thetarget compression depth.

And again, the actual performance of the rescuer against the revisedtarget may be continually monitored to determine when the rescuer'sperformance has fallen below an acceptable level, so that the rescuerand perhaps others may be notified to change who is performing the chestcompressions. Also, each of the relevant parameters of patient conditiondiscussed above with respect to the various screenshots may be made oneof multiple inputs to a process for determining when rescuers who areperforming one component of a rescue technique should be switched outwith another rescuer, such as for reasons of apparent fatigue on thepart of the first rescuer.

While at least some of the embodiments described above describetechniques and displays used during manual human-delivered chestcompressions, similar techniques and displays can be used with automatedchest compression devices such as the AUTOPULSE device manufactured byZOLL Medical, MA.

The particular techniques described here may be assisted by the use of acomputer-implemented medical device, such as a defibrillator thatincludes computing capability. Such defibrillator or other device isshown in FIG. 9, and may communicate with and/or incorporate a computersystem 800 in performing the operations discussed above, includingoperations for computing the quality of one or more components of CPRprovided to a victim and generating feedback to rescuers, includingfeedback to change rescuers who are performing certain components of theCPR. The system 900 may be implemented in various forms of digitalcomputers, including computerized defibrillators laptops, personaldigital assistants, tablets, and other appropriate computers.Additionally the system can include portable storage media, such as,Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drives. For example, the USB flashdrives may store operating systems and other applications. The USB flashdrives can include input/output components, such as a wirelesstransmitter or USB connector that may be inserted into a USB port ofanother computing device.

The system 900 includes a processor 910, a memory 920, a storage device930, and an input/output device 940. Each of the components 910, 920,930, and 940 are interconnected using a system bus 950. The processor910 is capable of processing instructions for execution within thesystem 900. The processor may be designed using any of a number ofarchitectures. For example, the processor 910 may be a CISC (ComplexInstruction Set Computers) processor, a RISC (Reduced Instruction SetComputer) processor, or a MISC (Minimal Instruction Set Computer)processor.

In one implementation, the processor 910 is a single-threaded processor.In another implementation, the processor 910 is a multi-threadedprocessor. The processor 910 is capable of processing instructionsstored in the memory 920 or on the storage device 930 to displaygraphical information for a user interface on the input/output device940.

The memory 920 stores information within the system 900. In oneimplementation, the memory 920 is a computer-readable medium. In oneimplementation, the memory 920 is a volatile memory unit. In anotherimplementation, the memory 920 is a non-volatile memory unit.

The storage device 930 is capable of providing mass storage for thesystem 900. In one implementation, the storage device 930 is acomputer-readable medium. In various different implementations, thestorage device 930 may be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, anoptical disk device, or a tape device.

The input/output device 940 provides input/output operations for thesystem 900. In one implementation, the input/output device 940 includesa keyboard and/or pointing device. In another implementation, theinput/output device 940 includes a display unit for displaying graphicaluser interfaces.

The features described can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or incombinations of them. The apparatus can be implemented in a computerprogram product tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in amachine-readable storage device for execution by a programmableprocessor; and method steps can be performed by a programmable processorexecuting a program of instructions to perform functions of thedescribed implementations by operating on input data and generatingoutput. The described features can be implemented advantageously in oneor more computer programs that are executable on a programmable systemincluding at least one programmable processor coupled to receive dataand instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a datastorage system, at least one input device, and at least one outputdevice. A computer program is a set of instructions that can be used,directly or indirectly, in a computer to perform a certain activity orbring about a certain result. A computer program can be written in anyform of programming language, including compiled or interpretedlanguages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as astand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unitsuitable for use in a computing environment.

Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructionsinclude, by way of example, both general and special purposemicroprocessors, and the sole processor or one of multiple processors ofany kind of computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructionsand data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. Theessential elements of a computer are a processor for executinginstructions and one or more memories for storing instructions and data.Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled tocommunicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing datafiles; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disksand removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storagedevices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructionsand data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way ofexample semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flashmemory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removabledisks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. Theprocessor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in,ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).

To provide for interaction with a user, the features can be implementedon a computer having an LCD (liquid crystal display) or LED display fordisplaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing devicesuch as a mouse or a trackball by which the user can provide input tothe computer.

The features can be implemented in a computer system that includes aback-end component, such as a data server, or that includes a middlewarecomponent, such as an application server or an Internet server, or thatincludes a front-end component, such as a client computer having agraphical user interface or an Internet browser, or any combination ofthem. The components of the system can be connected by any form ormedium of digital data communication such as a communication network.Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”),a wide area network (“WAN”), peer-to-peer networks (having ad-hoc orstatic members), grid computing infrastructures, and the Internet.

The computer system can include clients and servers. A client and serverare generally remote from each other and typically interact through anetwork, such as the described one. The relationship of client andserver arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

Many other implementations other than those described may be employed,and may be encompassed by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for managing care of a person receivingemergency cardiac assistance, the method comprising: monitoring, with anexternal defibrillator, multiple parameters of the person receivingemergency cardiac assistance; determining from at least one of theparameters, an indication of trans-thoracic impedance of the personreceiving emergency cardiac care, the indication of trans-thoracicimpedance representing a present impedance level across the thorax forthe person receiving emergency cardiac care; determining, from at leastone of the parameters corresponding to an electrocardiogram of theperson receiving emergency cardiac assistance, an initial indication oflikely shock effectiveness; determining, as a function of at least acombination of the indication of trans-thoracic impedance and theinitial indication of likely shock effectiveness and using as separateinputs the indication of transthoracic impedance and the initialindication of likely shock effectiveness determined from the parameterscorresponding to the electrocardiogram, an indication of whether a shockprovided to the person receiving emergency medical assistance will beeffective in terminating an arrhythmic episode; and affecting control ofthe defibrillator by a caregiver as a result of determining theindication of whether a shock will be effective.
 2. The method of claim1, further comprising repeating cyclically the actions of monitoring,determining, and affecting control over multiple time periods duringprovision of emergency cardiac assistance to the person.
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising identifying compression depth of chestcompressions performed on the person, using a device on the person'ssternum and in communication with the defibrillator, and providingfeedback to a rescuer performing the chest compressions regarding rateof compression, depth of compression, or both.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the multiple parameters comprise signals sensed by a pluralityof electrocardiogram leads.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereindetermining an initial indicator of likely shock effectiveness comprisesdetermining a value that is a function of electrocardiogram amplitude atparticular different frequencies or frequency ranges.
 6. A method formanaging care of a person receiving emergency cardiac assistance, themethod comprising: monitoring, with an external defibrillator, multipleparameters of the person receiving emergency cardiac assistance, whereinthe multiple parameters comprise signals sensed by a plurality ofelectrocardiogram leads; determining from at least one of theparameters, an indication of trans-thoracic impedance of the personreceiving emergency cardiac care; determining, from at least one of theparameters corresponding to an electrocardiogram of the person receivingemergency cardiac assistance, an initial indication of likely shockeffectiveness, comprising determining an amplitude spectrum area (AMSA)value; determining, as a function of at least the indication oftransthoracic impedance and the initial indication of likely shockeffectiveness and using as separate inputs the indication oftransthoracic impedance and the initial indication of likely shockeffectiveness determined from the parameters corresponding to theelectrocardiogram, an indication of whether a shock provided to theperson receiving emergency medical assistance will be effective; andaffecting control of the defibrillator by a caregiver as a result ofdetermining the indication of whether a shock will be effective.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein affecting control of the defibrillatorcomprises preventing a user from delivering a shock unless thedetermination of whether a shock will be effective exceeds a determinedlikelihood level.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein affecting control ofthe defibrillator comprises electronically displaying an indicator ofthe determined indication of whether a shock will be effective.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein displaying an indicator comprises displayinga value, of multiple possible values in a range, that indicates alikelihood of success.
 10. A system for managing care of a personreceiving emergency cardiac assistance, the system comprising: one ormore capacitors for delivering a defibrillating shock to a patient; oneor more electronic ports for receiving signals from sensors forobtaining indications of an electrocardiogram for the patient andtrans-thoracic impedance of the patient; a patient treatment moduleexecutable on one or more computer processors to provide a determinationof a likelihood of success from delivering a defibrillating shock to theperson with the one or more capacitors, by providing to the patienttreatment module, as separate inputs to a module for predicting alikelihood that a shock will succeed in defibrillating the person, botha value from the electrocardiogram and a value that corresponds to thetrans-thoracic impedance.
 11. The system of claim 10, further comprisingan output mechanism arranged to indicate, to a user of the system, anindication regarding the likelihood of success form delivering adefibrillating shock to the person with the one or more capacitors. 12.The system of claim 11, wherein the output mechanism comprises a visualdisplay, and the system is programmed to display to the user one ofmultiple possible indications that each indicate a degree of likelihoodof success.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the output mechanismcomprises an interlock that prevents a user from delivering a shockunless the determined likelihood of success exceeds a determined value.14. The system of claim 10, further comprising an ECG analyzer forgenerating an amplitude spectrum area value, and wherein the patienttreatment module combines the amplitude spectrum area value with atrans-thoracic impedance value to determine the likelihood of success.15. A method for managing care of a fibrillating patient, the methodcomprising: generating first information indicative of anelectrocardiogram of the patient; generating second informationindicative of a trans-thoracic impedance of the patient; determining alikelihood of success from delivering a defibrillating shock to thepatient from the first and second information, wherein the determiningcomprises combining the information indicative of the electrocardiogramof the patent and the information indicative of the trans-thoracicimpedance of the patient as separate inputs to a formula or look-uptable; and providing to a user of a defibrillator an indication of thedetermination of a likelihood of success.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein determining an indication of whether a shock provided to theperson receiving emergency medical assistance will be effectivecomprises: providing the indication of trans-thoracic impedance and anindication from an electrocardiogram reading to a function or look-uptable; and determining the indication of whether a shock will beeffective using an output of the function or look-up table.
 17. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the external defibrillator is a dual-modedefibrillator, and is programmed to affect control by a caregiver as aresult of determining the indication of whether a shock will beeffective in different manners, wherein a selected manner of affectingcontrol depends on a mode that the defibrillator is currently in. 18.The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of whether a shock will beeffective is based on one or more trans-thoracic impedance measurementsand one or more calculated AMSA values.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the one or more calculated AMSA values represent parameters inthe form of V-Hz.
 20. The method of claim 6, wherein determining aninitial indication of likely shock effectiveness comprises comparing thedetermined AMSA value to one or more predetermined AMSA thresholds.